Understanding how changes in interconnected social-ecological systems facilitate the transformation to sustainability represents one of the key challenges of sustainability science. Drawing on insights from systems thinking and solution-oriented transdisciplinary research, this project will focus on hitherto under-recognized leverage points—system properties where a small shift can lead to fundamental changes in the system as a whole.

Leverage Points will focus on changes in relatively intractable, but potentially highly influential, system properties that could help to realign complex social-ecological systems to the normative goals of sustainability. Specifically, we will analyze three sustainability-relevant leverage points: (1) institutional dynamics (RESTRUCTURE); (2) human-environment interactions (RECONNECT); and (3) sustainability-related knowledge creation (RETHINK). The three leverage points will be studied individually and with regard to their interdependencies. Following in-depth conceptual work on the three leverage points, the project will conduct empirical research on two contrasting case study regions (Transylvania in Romania and Lower Saxony in Germany), focusing on two key themes of particular relevance to sustainability (food and energy). We will link the conceptual and empirical insights via two integrative and transdisciplinary place-based case studies (one in each study region) involving local stakeholders and decision-makers. Our genuinely inter- and transdisciplinary approach will contribute fundamental understanding to the field of sustainability science, and will identify new, concrete measures to improve sustainability outcomes.

International Conference On Environmental Sustainability And Climate Change

The goal of environmental sustainability is to conserve natural resources and to develop alternate sources of power while reducing pollution and harm to the environment. Controlling the environmental pollution and the conservation of environment and biodiversity and controlling environmental pollution are the major focus areas of all the countries around the world. In this context, the importance and impact of biotechnological approaches and the implications of biotechnology must be thoroughly evaluated. Biotechnology is being used to provide alternative cleaner technologies which help to further reduce the hazardous environmental implications of the traditional technologies. Environmental biotechnology deals with the treatment of sewage water, the purification of exhaust gas or the decontamination of soils or ground water using specific microorganisms. Environmental biotechnology can simply be described as "the optimal use of nature, in the form of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and algae, to produce renewable energy, food and nutrients in a synergistic integrated cycle of profit making processes where the waste of each process becomes the feedstock for another process"

Open Science Meeting 2019: Transforming Land Systems for People and Nature

Land use is key for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in an increasingly threatened global environment. Should land system science produce a unifying vision for the planet? How do global narratives for use of land correspond to what people want when striving for access to land across diverse and distinctive regions? How can we support transformations that mutually reinforce global sustainability visions and goals, and people’s aspirations and needs?

Land system science scholars will be confronting such questions at the fourth Open Science Meeting of the Global Land Programme (GLP 4th OSM 2019). It will be held from the 24-26 of April 2019 in Bern, Switzerland and will focus on topics and themes that aim to advance our understanding of how land systems can form the basis for sustainability transformations.

Annual European Science Engagement Conference 2019

“Cultures of (Science)Communication” are in the focus of this meeting, which annually brings together Public Engagement professionals from all over Europe and beyond. At #esec19, a diverse community of practice will share, discuss and develop the diversity of knowledge, experiences, tools and methodologies which make the field of Public Engagement vital and relevant across boundaries of institutions, subjects and countries.

For the first time, three partners will join expertise and enthusiasm to create an excellent program: The conference will be co-organized by EUSEA, OPEN SCIENCE and SCIENCE CENTER NETWORK. Based on proposals and ideas from the larger Science Communication Community the partners will develop two days filled with lively discussions, swirling debates, inspiring talks and challenging sessions.

The call for proposals is open until 7 January 2019 – we are looking forward to all ideas and contributions: http://www.eusea.info/call.

24.10.2019 - 26.10.2019, Amsterdam (NL)

Conference on Interdisciplinarity in Global Contexts

The theme of the conference will be ‘Interdisciplinarity in Global Contexts’. Since a defining feature of interdisciplinarity is not to abstract or isolate problems but rather to approach them in their real-world contexts, this conference theme asks participants to consider the global and local contexts of interdisciplinary education and research.

You are invited to send in your proposal at www.aisconference2019.nl/callforproposal. We are especially looking for proposals that can start a debate, encourage audience involvement and a lively dialogue with all participants.

Join us for this next edition from 24-26 October 2019, which will be a great opportunity to share your experiences with interdisciplinary academics from all over the world, all bringing their own backgrounds and expertise.